The debate surrounding Bronny James's NBA readiness intensified on Wednesday when Wrightway Sports Network's Matt Shovelson blasted the Lakers rookie.
Pulling no punches, Shovelson declared that Bronny's "only in the NBA right now because of his dad." Shovelson's critique cuts deep, suggesting that Bronny's path to the league stems more from his last name than from his talent.
Across all professional competitions - Summer League, NBA games, and G League appearances - Bronny's shooting woes have become impossible to ignore. In Summer League action, he struggled to find his rhythm, averaging 8.8 points while shooting a frigid 16% from three-point range. His NBA minutes have been even more abysmal: 2.6 minutes per game while shooting just 13% from the field.
Shovelson points to Bronny's abbreviated college career as a major red flag. At USC, James started only six of 25 games, serving primarily as a defensive specialist off the bench. "Bronny was 100% good enough to play for USC," Shovelson acknowledged, "but everybody in the world knew he wasn't NBA ready."
Shovelson's criticism extends beyond Bronny's subpar statistics, arguing that Bronny's development has been fast-tracked due to his father's presence, suggesting the young guard would benefit from following a different path:
"The best option for Bronny is to play overseas for a few years and then return to the NBA."
The timing of Shovelson's critique is particularly pointed as speculation swirls about LeBron's future with the Lakers. Once the elder James exits the NBA stage, Bronny may face an even steeper climb to prove he belongs - not as LeBron's son, but as an NBA player in his own right.
Related: Bronny James Steps Up His Defense vs. Portland Trailblazers
Copyright 2024 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published December 11, 2024, 6:30 PM.